Question by Primary55: MBA Programs with Low GPA?
I graduated with a very low undergrad GPA (2.2) from the University of Georgia in Family Financial Planning. I really want to go to grad school and get an MBA in Finance but most business schools require a higher GPA to even be considered. I’ve thought about enrolling in another degree seeking program and just basically starting over in order to obtain a higher GPA and a bachelors degree in Finance. My ultimate goal is to get an associate role at an investment bank. My question is should I go back to undergrad and start over or take some post grad classes to raise my GPA?
Best answer:
Answer by ownpool
Post grad classes do not raise a GPA. By definition, the GPA is the GPA at the time of undergraduate graduation.
Earning a second bachelor’s degree is unlikely to solve the problem.
The biggest issue is that the only MBA programs which are likely paths to your goal are top-thirty programs and they are so selective that even a 4.0 GPA in a second bachelor’s degree is unlikely to result in admission, given the existing 2.2 GPA, which must be disclosed as part of the applications to MBA programs. The problem is that the competition is just too difficult.
Finance is close enough to family financial planning that it probably will be very difficult to find a bachelor’s program that will accept you. In general, a second bachelor’s degree must be in a field which is not closely related to that of the first one.
You will also have the first bachelor’s degree as a prominent part of your record when you apply for the full time paid business employment which is required or strongly recommended as experience for admission to most top-thirty MBA programs. This will not be in your favor.
I do not see the time and expense of earning a second bachelor’s degree which does not carry any guarantees to be worthwhile, especially given the uncertainty of success for anyone in investment banking. Most people who enter that profession leave within five years due to lack of success, which bluntly means that they were discharged from their employment and cannot find another job in the field.
I am sorry to have had to write such a pessimistic answer, but it is important that I be honest.
Best wishes.
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